Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite Mack Wolford believed faith compelled him to face the risk »

Federal Workers Banned From Texting While Driving

Executive order is part of larger push against distracted driving

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2009 3:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – Federal employees are now forbidden from sending text messages while driving on government business or operating government vehicles. The new executive order, signed by President Obama last night, also encourages executive agencies to adopt texting bans for contractors, reports ABC. "To put it plainly,... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

12 comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite

Miami Face-Eater Identified

ABC News (Source Grid »)

Politics • Technology • US

Barack Obama • driving • text message • texting • driver distraction • reckless driving • Ray LaHood

More Newser Stories

Feds Ban Texting by Truck, Bus Drivers

Under rules, effective immediately, fines run as high as $2,750

(NEWSER) - Drivers of trucks and buses who text behind the wheel will be subject to thousands of dollars in fines, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today. The federal prohibition, which takes effect immediately, applies only to commercial vehicles. But distracted driving is one of LaHood's top issues, CNN reports. "This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving," he said. More»

Teens Cop to Texting and Driving—But Say Dad's Worse

No age limit for bad behavior behind wheel

(NEWSER) - One-third of 16- and 17-year-olds say they have written text messages while behind the wheel. Despite that, young drivers are actually more responsible than many adults: 48% of respondents aged 12 to 17 say they’ve been in the car with a driver who was texting. One boy said his dad “drives like he's drunk. His phone is just like sitting right in front of his face, and he puts his knees on the bottom of the steering wheel and tries to text." More»

Only Fines Will Get Drivers Off the Phone: Experts

Conference tells Transportation Department to get tough

(NEWSER) - If the Department of Transportation wants to curb distracted driving, it’ll have to do more than ask nicely, concluded experts at last week’s conference on the issue. Previous efforts to curb drunk driving and promote seat belt safety have proven that drivers don’t respond without the threat of punishment. “There’s no evidence whatever that responsible-driving campaigns work,” the director of MADD told the conference. More»

Jail for UK Driver Who Texted Before Fatal Accident

Woman who slammed into victim at 70 mph said phone wasn't involved

(NEWSER) - A UK woman who sent more than 20 text messages while driving before crashing into a stopped car and killing another motorist has been sentenced to 21 months in jail, the Times reports. Philippa Curtis, 21, said she was not using the phone when she plowed into Victoria McBryde at 70 mph in 2007 and was able to text while keeping her eyes on the road. More»

California Bns Txtng While Driving

Reading, sending texts will cost motorists $20

(NEWSER) - California has become the latest state to outlaw text messaging while driving, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Motorists will be fined a minimum of $20 the first time they are caught reading or writing an electronic message behind the wheel, and $50 for any subsequent offenses. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Federal Workers Banned From Texting While Driving

Executive order is part of larger push against distracted driving

Barack Obama • driving • text message • texting • driver distraction • reckless driving • Ray LaHood

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Feds Ban Texting by Truck, Bus Drivers

Under rules, effective immediately, fines run as high as $2,750

Teens Cop to Texting and Driving—But Say Dad's Worse

No age limit for bad behavior behind wheel

Only Fines Will Get Drivers Off the Phone: Experts

Conference tells Transportation Department to get tough

Jail for UK Driver Who Texted Before Fatal Accident

Woman who slammed into victim at 70 mph said phone wasn't involved

California Bns Txtng While Driving

Reading, sending texts will cost motorists $20

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?